How to Prep for a Restaurant Food Photoshoot

Set Your Shoot Up for Success

A professional food photoshoot can make a huge difference in how customers perceive your restaurant — especially online. From delivery apps to your website and social media, high-quality photos help drive orders, boost brand trust, and tell your story visually.

But to get the best results, preparation is everything. Whether you're in downtown Toronto, Mississauga, or anywhere across the GTA, these tips will help ensure a smooth, successful session and polished final images.

1. Decide What You Want to Capture

Start by outlining your goals. Are you launching a new menu? Rebranding? Creating content for social media or Uber Eats?

Create a clear shot list that includes:

Dishes by category (appetizers, mains, desserts, drinks)
Any new or best-selling items
Interior shots or lifestyle moments (kitchen action, chef plating, dining room, etc.)

This helps you stay focused and ensures nothing important gets missed.

2. Choose the Right Time of Day

Avoid peak service hours. Photoshoots work best when your team has breathing room and there’s natural light (if shooting indoors). Ideal timing is:

Mid-morning (after breakfast, before lunch rush)
Mid-afternoon (after lunch, before dinner prep)

In Toronto, this often means blocking out a 3–4 hour window where the kitchen and front of house can support the shoot without disrupting operations.

3. Prep Your Kitchen and Ingredients in Advance

Speed and flexibility matter during a shoot. Help your kitchen team stay efficient by:

Prepping mise en place ahead of time (preparing and organizing all the ingredients ahead of time)
Assigning a dedicated staff member to coordinate dishes
Planning dish order so cold items or fast-wilting garnishes aren’t prepped too early

Also, have backup ingredients on hand — some items may need to be rebuilt or re-plated for the perfect shot.

4. Plate for the Camera — Not Just the Table

What looks good in person doesn’t always translate on camera. For photos:

Slightly exaggerate garnishes or toppings for texture and colour
Use fresh herbs, clean plate edges, and intentional symmetry
Think in layers — vertical height, sauce drizzles, ingredient variety

This is your chance to showcase visual appeal as much as taste.

5. Clean and Stage Your Space

If your shoot includes interior or ambience shots, ensure the space is clean and styled. Clear clutter, wipe down surfaces, and avoid distractions like extension cords or plastic containers.

Add subtle brand elements like:

A fresh menu
Branded napkins or packaging
Visible logo signage or uniforms (if appropriate)

Clean visuals reflect care — and that care reflects your brand.

Final Thoughts

A little planning goes a long way. The best food photoshoots are a true collaboration between your restaurant team and your photographer. With the right prep, you’ll walk away with a full library of stunning, high-converting images you can use across your marketing for months.

Work with ALXEATS — Serving Toronto & the GTA

I help restaurants capture visuals that tell their story and drive real results. From food styling to space planning, I make the process easy, collaborative, and built around your brand goals.

See my work: www.alxeats.com/portfolio

Ready to book your shoot? www.alxeats.com/contact

Learn more: www.alxeats.com